An ex-teammate of the Los Angeles Lakers’LeBron James has revealed what it’s like playing alongside the four-time NBA champion as the opens up on the standards of the true elite in basketball.
Richard Jefferson, who played as a forward, called the experience both demanding and exhausting he worked hard alongside the 40-year-old in the relentless pursuit of success in the sport.
In particular, Jefferson reflected on his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was part of the team from 2015 to 2017 and won a title in 2016 in a remarkable comeback against the Golden State Warriors.
While acknowledging James’ unparalleled competitiveness and drive, he revealed that being a teammate of one of the game’s greatest players comes with considerable pressure.
LeBron receives highest compliment
“Playing with LeBron sucks,” Jefferson said on the Road Trippin’ Show. “Because you’re trying to win a championship.
“He’s one of the most competitive human beings in the history of American sports.”
His comment wasn’t meant as criticism of James personally, but rather a statement on the relentless standards demanded by those who aspire to win at the highest level.
And Jefferson elaborated on what made the experience so intense. He described how James’ rigorous preparation, from early-morning practice sessions to extensive film study, which sets a tone that teammates must match.
“Does it suck when you’re showing up,” Jefferson added. “And he’s already been practicing for four hours and you’re like, oh s**t…
“When he’s watching film and you mess up a play and he’s like, motherf**er what’re you doing?
“And it’s like, yeah, those are the cons. They were cons for playing with [Michael] Jordan. They were cons for playing with Kobe [Bryant].
“They were cons for playing with players that are so great that they demanded excellence. There’s always cons when you’re trying to win at the highest level.”
For players unaccustomed to that environment, the day-to-day grind can feel overwhelming and his fellow Road Trippin’ host and former teammate, Channing Frye, echoed Jefferson’s viewpoint.
“Here’s the cons: certain guys play for minutes,” Fyre said. “Certain guys play to be All-Stars, certain guys play to be in the Hall of Fame. LeBron James plays basketball to win championships and to be the greatest player ever.
“So like, putting that in perspective is like, oh, you’re trying to make it to the top of the hill – this motherf***er’s tryna go to Mars…
“That’s the difference in how he approaches the game.”
How much will LeBron James earn in the 2025/26 NBA season?
These insights offer a rare, unfiltered look into the expectations surrounding James, now preparing to enter his 23rd NBA season.
The 40-year-old recently opted into a $52.6 million player option with Los Angeles and, despite his age, James appeared in 70 games last season performing at an elite level by averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds.
He’s posting some of the most efficient shooting numbers of his career as he chases a fifth ring with a Lakers outfit now armed Luka Doncic to chase down an NBA championship once again.
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